The Sauber Formula 1 team have revealed that Jonathan Wheatley will start work as the new team principal on April 1, Afrosport reports.
It was announced last August that Wheatley would leave his role as Red Bull sporting director to become team principal of Sauber which would morph into Audi from the 2026 season.
This is an earlier date than initially anticipated which was expected to be July following a period of gardening leave.
Sauber have also confirmed that Wheatley will make his race debut as team principal at the Japanese Grand Prix which is the third round of the 2025 calendar on April 6.
BREAKING: Former Red Bull Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley will begin as Kick Sauber Team Principal from April 1#F1 pic.twitter.com/ElrivsIMqu
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 12, 2025
He will be tasked with leading the management team at Sauber alongside chief operating officer and chief technical officer Mattia Binotto.
Both men have been empowered with clearly defined roles and deliverables and will report directly to Gernot Dollner, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG.
